Solskjaer saves Man Utd

Solskjaer lives up to his super-sub tag with the winner

Man Utd 1-0 West Brom

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Manchester United got their Premiership campaign off to a winning start with a hard-earned victory over newcomers West Brom.

A late goal by substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - his 100th for the club - spared United's blushes in what has been a tumultuous week for the Old Trafford giants.

West Brom were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Derek McInnes was sent off for a second bookable offence, but had performed valiantly until that point.

  Key incidents

60 mins: Roy Keane is booked for a clumsy challenge

63 mins: Derek McInnes sent off for a two-footed lunge

78 mins: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fires in United's opener

The Baggies' numerical disadvantage ultimately proved their undoing, but Gary Megson's side can take heart from a spirited display.

However, questions will again be asked of United as to why it took them until the 78th minute to break down supposedly inferior opposition.

Photo gallery: Saturday's Premiership action

In the aftermath of United's Champions League debacle, Sir Alex Ferguson opted to fortify his midfield, giving Nicky Butt a place in the starting line-up.

Despite an anonymous display in midweek, Juan Sebastian Veron's services were retained and the Argentine shone in the opening exchanges.

His passing and vision were at times exquisite, complemented well by the combative Butt.

Manchester United are famous for their fighting spirit and we have shown those qualities today

Sir Alex Ferguson

Ryan Giggs and David Beckham stayed wide, leaving captain Roy Keane as the most advanced United player other than Ruud van Nistelrooy.

And Keane, in the media spotlight once more following his admission that he deliberately injured Manchester City defender Alf Inge Haaland, came closest to breaking the first-half stalemate.

After some excellent interplay with Beckham, Butt set up Keane, but the Irishman failed to get enough purchase on his header and a good chance went begging.

Keane's second attempt, again a header, came courtesy of a Beckham cross and proved far more testing for keeper Russell Hoult, who gathered at the second attempt.

Giggs and Butt both wasted opportunities to open the scoring, while West Brom's £2m man Jason Roberts proved the only real threat to United's defence in a first half full of endeavour but lacking any real penetration.

Beckham appeared out of sorts

After the interval, Roberts seized the initiative for West Brom, who were visibly buoyed by the 0-0 half-time scoreline.

However, the Baggies' early charge soon dissipated as United launched wave after wave of attacks in search of the opener.

Ferguson replaced Veron with striker Solskjaer and United reverted to their usual 4-4-2 formation.

When you are playing a man down against a team whose entire side is comfortable on the ball, it's difficult to hold out

West Brom boss Gary Megson

But it was the introduction of Paul Scholes proved decisive for United. As soon as the England international took to the field, the hosts regained their usual swagger.

And a typical piece of Scholes skill in the West Brom area created an opening for Solskjaer, which the Norwegian striker netted with his customary aplomb.

It was a satisfactory afternoon's work for United, but much work remains to be done if the Reds are to regain their domestic dominance.

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Man Utd: Carroll, Phil Neville (Scholes 71), O'Shea, Blanc, Silvestre (Forlan 76), Beckham, Butt, Keane, Veron (Solskjaer 59), van Nistelrooy, Giggs.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Tierney.

Booked: Keane.

West Brom: Hoult, Gilchrist, Moore, Sigurdsson, Clement, Johnson, Gregan (Taylor 83), McInnes, Balis, Roberts (Marshall 69), Dichio (Dobie 60).
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Wallwork.

Sent Off: McInnes (64).

Attendance: 67,645

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).